Remulla sounds alarm on Subic smuggling: ‘We have to watch Subic’

Bureau of Customs personnel from the Customs Intelligence and Investigation Service inspect boxes of tea bags from Thailand, which were eventually discovered to be carrying crystal meth or shabu worth P3.8 billion. Customs officials said the shipment arrived at the Port of Subic last September 18. (Photo from the Bureau of Customs)

MANILA, Philippines — “We have to watch Subic,” Justice Secretary Jesus Crispin Remulla on Thursday since it has recently become the site of smuggling activities.

“Actually Subic din ang aming na-pinpoint na source ng agricultural smuggling. Subic din ang na-pinpoint namin na source ng maraming smuggling sa bansa, that is why we have to watch over Subic,” Remulla told reporters.

[Actually, Subic is also the source we have pinpointed for agricultural smuggling. We have also pinpointed Subic as a source of many smuggling activities in the country, so we have to watch over Subic.]

The P3.6 billion worth of shabu recently seized from a warehouse in Pampanga arrived at Subic Port last September 18.

Remulla stressed the importance of regularly rotating agents from different ports to avoid familiarity.

“They lost their zest for the job when they get too familiar with the people in their place of assignment,” Remulla said.

When asked if they will also investigate possible involvement of government officials, Remulla said that currently, what is more important is to point out the loopholes and how smuggled items could enter the country.

“We are working with [the Bureau of] Customs now and their cooperation is critical to the success of the anti-drug program. We have to acknowledge that. We have to work within our means,” he added.

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